Creamy and Cheesy Baked Macaroni Recipe | Ultimate Comfort Food
Discover the ultimate baked mac and cheese — creamy, cheesy, and topped with golden breadcrumbs. Perfect for cozy family dinners.
Ingredients
For the Pasta & Sauce:
- 1 lb elbow macaroni (or any short pasta)
- 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Topping:
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Optional Add-Ins:
- Crumbled bacon
- Finely chopped parsley
- Dash of cayenne or smoked paprika for extra depth
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni just until al dente — it will finish cooking in the oven. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Roux: In a large saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add ¼ cup flour and whisk constantly for 1–2 minutes until the mixture turns lightly golden and smells nutty.
- Add the Dairy: Slowly pour in milk and cream, whisking the whole time to avoid lumps. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until the sauce thickens — about 3–5 minutes.
- Flavor the Sauce: Stir in Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Add the Cheese: Lower the heat, then add cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan, one handful at a time, whisking until melted and silky smooth.
- Combine with Pasta: Add the cooked macaroni into the sauce and stir until every piece is coated in cheesy goodness.
- Top and Bake :Pour the mac and cheese into your prepared dish. In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs with melted butter, then sprinkle evenly over the top.
- Bake: Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving — the sauce thickens beautifully as it sits.